Your Simple Guide to the Weed Laws in South Africa
Get a quick, straightforward guide to South Africa's weed laws, from private use to what's still off-limits.
In 2018, South Africa sent shockwaves across Africa after the Constitutional Court made a landmark ruling allowing personal use and cultivation of cannabis in private spaces.
After this decision was made, the South African government was preparing a framework specifying rules on personal cannabis use, such as possession limits and public possession. Then, in 2024, the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill was introduced and signed into law, laying out the rules and regulations around recreational cannabis use within the country.
Now, anyone over the age of 18 in South Africa can legally cultivate up to four plants in a private place, possess up to 100 grams of cannabis in public, and possess up to 600 grams in public.
On the medical side, cannabis can be legally prescribed in South Africa for patients with specific health conditions, and the country even has dispensaries and pharmacies that allow patients to access medical cannabis easily.
Below you can find the summary of the cannabis laws in South Africa.
Is Weed Legal in South Africa?
Medical cannabis is legal in South Africa, and recreational cannabis is legal for individuals over the age of 18 to use within a private space.
How Much Weed Can Someone Possess for Personal Use in South Africa?
Adults over the age of 18 can possess up to 100 grams of cannabis in public and 600 grams in private.
Can You Grow Your Own Plants in South Africa?
Yes, adults over the age of 18 are legally allowed to cultivate up to 4 cannabis plants in a private space.
What's a Private Space?
A private space is any building that the public does not have access to, such as a house, room, mobile home, caravan, boat, or cannabis club.
What's a Cannabis Club?
In South Africa, a private cannabis club is a private organization where members pay a fee, grow their own weed, and distribute it amongst the members of the club for their personal use. Because recreational sales are illegal in South Africa, these private clubs provide a safe place where members can socialise, consume cannabis onsite, and get cannabis, especially if they don't know how to cultivate it on their own.
Is CBD Legal in South Africa?
Yes, CBD is legal in South Africa.
